Rogers locks up Canadiens rights through 2016-17

Sportsnet and its rival TSN are now Habs and Habs-not, following the announcement that Rogers Media has signed a three-year broadcast deal with the Montreal Canadiens.

The deal makes Rogers the official English-language regional broadcaster for the famed NHL franchise.

The deal, which runs through 2016-17, includes 42 regional games for the Canadiens, which will complement a national package of 40 games. The games will be featured across nine channels including Sportsnet, CBC, City, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet 360 and FX Canada.

The regional schedule includes seven Original Six match-ups, eight all-Canadian showdowns on Sportsnet East and City Montreal, and two games with the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

National coverage of the Canadiens includes 22 games on Hockey Night in Canada, six Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey games and five Rogers Hometown Hockey games on Sunday.

The first regional game takes place Oct. 13 on City Montreal, when the Canadiens visit the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Rogers says it will bring more than 500 national and regional regular season games across the nine networks this season.

The new deal shuts out Bell Media’s TSN from Canadiens coverage. TSN recently announced new regional rights deals with the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators.